Leeds United's Patrick Bamford admits Rodrigo regret after Southampton link up

The Spanish international arrived in West Yorkshire as the club’s record signing last summer from La Liga outfit Valencia amid a spending spree.

Rodrigo has endured an up-and-down campaign since making the surprise switch to Elland Road to join the newly-promoted Whites.

He has started just 12 games this season under head coach Marcelo Bielsa’s watch and contracted Covid-19 as he began to establish himself in the Argentine’s line-up last November.

Injuries have since followed and the £30m man has been forced to watch on from the sidelines in bursts over the last few months.

His signature was initially thought to provide competition for Bamford as United’s No 9 but the 30-year-old has found himself deployed behind the striker when called upon.

At Southampton on Tuesday night, Rodrigo was at his scintillating best in the second half, lifting a ball over the defence to find his team-mate for the opening goal.

It was Bamford’s 16th Premier League strike of the season in what has been a stellar campaign for the front man.

The link-up – the first of the season between the two – added to a strong few days for Rodrigo, who followed up a two-goal display at Burnley with the assist at St Mary’s.

Bamford is among those who have been left thinking about what could’ve been had luck been on the pair’s side throughout the season.

“The pass he played for my goal [at Southam